it is humbling to be here before you in this new role as president obama's nominee as secretary of state. but my approach to this role, if confirmed, is deeply informed but the 28-plus years i've been privileged to spend in the senate. that perspective will remain with me if confirmed as secretary, and i'm already excited by the many ways we can work together and in which we must work together in order to advance america's security interests in a complicated and ever more dangerous world. i would add that i am particularly aware that in many ways, the greatest challenge to america's foreign policy will be in your hands, not mine. while it is often said that we cannot be strong at home if we are not strong in the world, these days of fiscal crisis, and as a recovering member of the super committee, i am especially cognizant of the fact that we cannot be strong in the world unless we are strong at home. the first priority of business, which will affect my credibility as a diplomat and our credibility as a nation, as we work to help other countries create order, the first priority will be t